Stephanie rushed into the room, throwing her handbag aside. She looked at Archer surprisingly before turning her attention back to her friend. She needn't ask further questions seeing Archer beside Natalie.
Archer straightened up, picked up his own bag and shifted from the couch so that the ladies tended to Natalie. His eyes skimmed through the living room, pausing twice to stare at a portrait of Natalie and Oscar on their wedding day.She was smiling, but her dark eyes were clouded by sadness. His heart tightened at the thought of what came after the wedding. The thought of Oscar making love to Natalie makes him want to puke.His eyes slid to another picture of them placed beside the television, Oscar's arm was around her waist, but she folded her hands around her lower abdomen, staring down at her wrist. Then he noticed the bracelet he had made for her resting securely on her wrist, she was gazing at it while her husband held her.He had made it and gifted it to her on the second night that he made love to her. They were young and she was a good girl, but he changed and hurt her because he has always been a bad boy.He sighed heavily, adjusted the bag on his shoulder and quietly left the room, aware that the women were looking at him, especially Natalie. He has to go back to where he belongs. What brought him to the main house, he has no idea."Do you need anything?" Judith asked Natalie worriedly."No, I am okay. Get something for my friend and leave us alone, please." She sat up and returned her friend's quizzical glare."What is he doing here?" Stephanie asked as soon as Judith closed the door behind her.Natalie knew who she was referring to, and she knows that she is as surprised as herself but she won't believe it. Why did he have to appear after so many years? Why does he still have the same effect on her? Why did she have to show her weakness in front of him? She has so many questions to ask him."I don't know. He just appeared." She mumbled, staring blankly at the television. "I'm not even sure he is real. It could have been my imagination." She added, reconstructing everything that happened in her head."But I saw him, Judith, too. This is his brother's house and he's part of the family. I just didn't expect to see him again after…" Stephanie stopped talking when Judith came into the room again."Thank you," She said as Judith placed a mug of hot coffee on the table and left the room."You don't look too good. What did you want to tell me? I was so worried when I heard your voice, especially when you called me by my full name." Stephanie coaxed, holding her hand."I feel caged in here. I'm tired of this suffocating life. I have tried to hold everything in and pretend to go with the flow, but it's getting worse and I want out," Natalie sniffed, then covered her face with her palms.She told Stephanie in tears that her husband, Oscar Georges, hasn't touched her ever since they got married. She further explained that she hasn't left the mansion apart from those few times that she came and took her out."The reason why I didn't accept your last invitation to go out was because Oscar would always yell at me for ever leaving the house at all. He's not a possessive freak, but he doesn't want me to go out of his castle." She finished, letting her tears flow uncontrollably."What? Like seriously, Natalie?" Stephanie exclaimed, swallowing a lump that formed in her throat. Her heart broke for her friend. "Why haven't you told me this? Why did you choose to live in bondage and die in silence?""I wish I could wake up one day and find out that the life I have been living for the past two years is a dream. I hate my parents for doing this to me. I will never forgive them."Stephanie gave her a handkerchief. She used it to wipe her tears and blow her nose. If only she had known better than to keep hoping that Oscar would one day care for her and treat her like his woman. He's gentle on the surface, good-looking and clean, but he's the most dreadful man she has ever known."You are trapped, Natalie. I don't believe this!" Stephanie shook her head in disgust."I should have run away from home a long time ago if I knew that this is how my life would end." Natalie looked up at the photo of her and Oscar during their engagement party.That day, she was mad at herself because she couldn't stop looking at the bracelet that Archer gave to her after making love to her for the second time. Nobody knew their relationship. It was secretly between them.That night, they did the craziest thing together. They made love behind the couch in the parlor while her parents were bickering at each other.She was scared, but he promised her that they wouldn't know because her mother was high on drugs and her father was drunk as he usually does after betting. They were arguing about who would sell the refrigerator and who wouldn't.He came in and found her crying in the room. He told her that he would do the craziest thing with her so that she would remember it during sad and lonely days and laugh at what they had done.Right behind the couch, watching her parents, he lifted her mini skirt, shifted her lingerie, knelt between her thighs and pushed his dick inside her. He covered her mouth with one of his palms while the free one held her hip as he thrusted in and out of her.Her hands thrown over the couch, her breasts pressed against the back of the couch and her head buzzing as they shouted on top of their voices and the muffled yelps that always died in her throat. They looked at them, but couldn't make out what they were doing."And you, don't just stay there! Tell this woman that the refrigerator is mine and I have the right to sell it anytime I want! If she wants to sell something, it should be her body because that is all that she came into my house with!"Her father had yelled at her while she was being banged right in front of them, separated only by the couch.Archer whispered reassuring words to her ear and told her to close her eyes and shut her parents off. He assured her that she had nothing to fear because they wouldn't notice what was going on in their state.She obeyed his sweet command and shut them off. Everything became Archer and her. The world wasn't there. They were in another world, and she only heard the hissing noise of the couch as it vibrated and Archer's sweet words.When he pulled out, pushed her skirt down, straightened her blouse, and told her to open her eyes. Her parents had already fallen asleep, her father on the ground and her mother on that couch. Yes, they were crazier than them.He stood up and led her outside even though it was late in the night. They always felt free under the moonlight and enjoying the cool night air. They would just hold hands and walk side by side until they are ready to go back. Parting with him was what she most dreaded.The reason why she was mad at herself was because she remembered the words he said to her when he gave her that bracelet. She believed his sweet lie."You are my sweetheart and I will never leave you, Natalie. I will always be by your side to make you happy. I will protect you with my life because I love you."He had held and kissed her so passionately that she felt the intensity of his words. She simply melted into him and told him to make love to her again under the moonlight. And he did.But he left her. He lied to her. He wasn't by her side when she needed him the most and she couldn't even throw away his gift. She kept it in a safe. During her engagement party, she remembered all that and only felt like crying."Natalie?"Stephanie's voice shook her thoughts away. She looked up at her and she squeezed her hand. She's tired and wants to lie down."What should I do, Stephanie? I don't know how to get out of this mess. Should I continue living my life like this? I told you because I needed your opinion.""Opinion on what?"Stephanie and Natalie looked up at once to see Oscar standing in the doorway, his hand still gripping the doorknob. Natalie gasped as Stephanie bit her lip. They looked at each other, wide-eyed, as Natalie hoped that he didn't hear the rest of their conversation."Answer me!"Natalie and Stephanie sprang up at once. As Oscar jammed the door behind him, he moved forward, fixing a fierce stare at Natalie who was drawn to tears. If he heard everything, then she is dead."Hey, honey! Why are you on edge? Is this how you welcome your husband home after such a long day? I can see your friend kept you company, possibly the reason why you didn't miss me." Oscar's sudden softness was another shock to them.Natalie opened her mouth, clamped it and moped at him. What was that? She could swear that he was angry and terrifying just now, but his features softened swiftly as if he wasn't the same man that just yelled at her. If he heard their conversation and decided to keep quiet, it must be because of Stephanie's presence. That is to say that it isn't over yet. When Stephanie leaves, she will face her punishment, but now, they have to deceive someone, probably unknown to him, already knows the truth, though not the whole truth about their marriage."I… We were just s
Natalie and Stephanie sprang up at once. As Oscar jammed the door behind him, he moved forward, fixing a fierce stare at Natalie who was drawn to tears. If he heard everything, then she is dead."Hey, honey! Why are you on edge? Is this how you welcome your husband home after such a long day? I can see your friend kept you company, possibly the reason why you didn't miss me." Oscar's sudden softness was another shock to them.Natalie opened her mouth, clamped it and moped at him. What was that? She could swear that he was angry and terrifying just now, but his features softened swiftly as if he wasn't the same man that just yelled at her. If he heard their conversation and decided to keep quiet, it must be because of Stephanie's presence. That is to say that it isn't over yet. When Stephanie leaves, she will face her punishment, but now, they have to deceive someone, probably unknown to him, already knows the truth, though not the whole truth about their marriage."I… We were just s
Natalie missed a call from Stephanie and that was one thing that makes their friendship special and equally important to her. She also sent a message, just checking up on her to make sure she is okay.She was lucky because she was already in her bedroom, replying to Stephanie's text message when Oscar came back. He slanted her a suspicious look as he leaned against the door and watched her.She sent the text she wrote to Stephanie, then threw her phone aside and walked deliberately to the cabinet to bring out her nightgown. "I don't want her to visit you again. And I would love it if I stopped keeping in touch with her." He finally released the bomb he had been setting up."Who is that? Stephanie? Oscar, you know that is not fair! You stopped me from seeing my parents or even calling them, no matter who and what they are, they are still my parents, but I accepted that without complaint. No, you can't keep manipulating me like this. It's not possible with my best friend, please, cut t
Without another word, Archer looked around for where to hide, but Natalie held him still and kissed him one last time before she pushed him down beside the bed and threw the bed sheet over him.He picked up her briefs and hid them in the closet, then threw her nightgown over her shoulder, tied the single rope around her waist as she unlocked the door. "What was that for?" Oscar barked, fuming as he pushed her aside."I didn't know you were going to come back. It's not like we sleep in the same bed, so I thought…""That doesn't mean that you should lock the door because I might come in anytime. This is my house and I have the right to come into this bedroom whenever I like! Got that?" He pointed a finger on her face.As she nodded, he saw the bedsheet heaped on the floor and frowned. "What is that doing on the floor?" "I felt lonely, so I hugged it to myself while I sat on the floor. I will spread it on the bed later." She gave a flimsy excuse, knowing fully well that nothing would m
Natalie watched his jaw tighten and his muscles flex as he rubbed his palm at the back of his head, then scratched his forehead just like he always did whenever he's nervous. It is his habit whenever he's fighting something in because he doesn't want anyone to know."I told you that I have never lied to you. I don't have to tell you now. I need to…""Leave? Yeah, that's all that you are good at. Leaving. Walking away. Go and please, remember to shut the door behind you this time." She knew that she was going to shed tears, so she didn't look at him."Natalie, it's not like that. It's not…" "Fuck off!""Okay. If that makes you happy, then I will leave, but it's not yet over because I love you and I am not going to take a step without you again. Keep that in mind." He left the bed, wore his clothes and walked to the door.He turned to look at her again, wishing that they didn't have to part after having such a great time together in over ten years. While she thinks that he deliberately
Two days passed and Natalie didn't see Archer. She was worried, thinking that he must've been mad at her for ruining that night after they made love. And Oscar was always busy, so much that she brought up the conversation he said they would have and he totally ignored her. In the morning, he would be so serious talking to someone over the phone, and at night, he's replying to either mails, text messages or voice notes. She didn't push it, knowing that he might get angry and strangle her. She avoided him too, but wasn't oblivious to his activities at home. She also couldn't stay away from the boathouse as she constantly searched for Archer.If it was about whatever she had said, then she would apologize. If it had to do with whatever discussion he had with Oscar, then he had to say something to her and stop breaking her heart with his absence.If he can't stay with her, then he shouldn't have come back. She missed him even more than she did those years that she didn't see him at all.
Archer felt Natalie's hands on his back as she also looked at Angelika whose hand was already on the railings as she carefully walked up to the balcony."Ma'am, I have tracked down the girl's location." A deep voice broke into the silence of the poolroom. Archer's eyes flew to look at Angelika's personal guard who paused to bow at a far end of the poolroom. "Good job. Let's go somewhere else and talk about this, Alex." She turned and retraced her steps. She paused to look at their direction twice before she finally left with Alex.Archer blew out a breath as Natalie sighed behind him. He told her that they can't go out yet since Angelika can be very sensitive. When he turned to look at her, he saw the fear in her eyes."You don't think she has seen us?" She swallowed, placing her head on his chest."Are you kidding me? She must've noticed that someone was here, but she didn't see us. These curtains are not transparent when you are looking from the outside." He assured her."What do
The reminiscences of that first day with Archer always brought a romantic warm pleasure surging through her."This is not right. You are going to put me into trouble. What if someone sees us? The principal might come in anytime. And look at everything, he would know that someone tampered with his… Archer, he would punish me and that would ruin my chances of coming back to school. My reputation is already ruined, but my pride…" She was just blabbering, but she couldn't put that into action until he bared her breasts and ran his fingers over her nipples, winking at her. "Trust me, nobody will find out because I will take the blame. Don't ask me how I plan to do that. If I get their attention, the students will have something new to talk about and ignore you." He said, snaking a finger into her skirt to pull her panties down."Archer, I have never done this before." She complained, crossing her arms over her breasts, suddenly feeling ashamed of herself naked in front of the opposite ge